Wedding Blog

I am sure that you have visited wedding planner websites and seen the standard list of why you should hire a planner…over and over and over again. Seeing the same ol’ thing can be tiring--especially when you can't afford to hire a wedding planner. No matter how helpful and beneficial having a planner is, I realize that some budgets (those of less than 150.00/guest for the entire event) do not allow for this service. Despite its importance, I, and hopefully some other planners provide “a la carte” services. As I list some of these below, I encourage you to be in touch with planners to see if they also provide these services.

• Question and answer sessions. You would purchase a package which would allow you a certain amount of question or answer sessions, either via email or phone. You could ask questions regarding wedding etiquette and procedure, planning advice, timeline advice, etc.
• Timeline development and disbursement. Hire the planner to work with you to only to develop a detailed wedding day timeline. This will help organize your vendors, you, and your wedding party.
• Library access. Ask the planner if you can have access to their wedding library. Often times, it will include a variety of etiquette books, archival and new magazines, and planning material. Ask them whether you can make copies of relevant articles or ideas, so you do not have to spend your precious time or money searching and purchasing magazines that will be thrown after the big day.
• Stationary design. Some planners sell or make invitations, place cards, menu cards, programs, table names/numbers, Save the Dates, and the like. Often times you can get great discounts by going through planners for these items…especially if you are using them for another service.
• Week before services. You need the planner only to confirm everything with your wedding vendors a week prior to your wedding.
• Partial planning. Ask a planner to help you with only one small aspect of your wedding, such as: Finding a site, site design, decorating, negotiating contracts, arranging transportation or guest lodging, making flight arrangements. Often times, these services would fall under the “consultation” fee schedule.

Of course, if you need partial or full planning services…inquire about payment plans. Before signing a contract, make sure that you are aware of all penalties and fees.

Elegant Event Planning and Design is a professional, full time, event planning firm specializing in commitment ceremonies and weddings. Elegant Event Planning and Design www.eleganteventdesign.com